Pledge to tackle global warming in Somerset

THE 'Nottingham Declaration', a voluntary pledge which commits to actively tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions, is being signed on behalf of Somerset County Council today, Wednesday, February 21.
The leader of the council, Councillor Cathy Bakewell, is syumbolically signing the document at a meeting of the full council, an act which she says puts Somerset at the forefront of efforts to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change in the county.
At the same time, the council is revealing predictions of the significant impacts of global warming and sea level rises in Somerset.
Applying data from climate and flooding experts, it is predicted that:

• The chances of a severe tidal flooding event, large enough to overwhelm current defences and threaten the M5 and railway links through Somerset, could increase from 200/1 in any given year to 17/1 by 2060
  
• The threat posed to 32,500 properties across 2,394 square miles of the county currently vulnerable to flooding from a combination of coastal and river events could rise markedly
  
• Average July temperatures will have risen by four degrees Celsius in Somerset by 2080 if emissions remain high, with more damaging extremes of temperature and prolonged drought
  
• By 2080, there could be a net sea level rise of 3.1 inches per year in the South West if emissions remain high

The authority is also announcing a stakeholder and public consultation for a ‘Climate Change Adaptation Strategy’ (SCCAS) which is now in preparation, and which sets targets for the council to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its service areas and encourage and help partners to do the same.
Together, they will form a countywide approach to protecting infrastructure and services from climate change and reducing emissions, co-ordinated by the council.
The authority already has a range of award-winning projects and initiatives to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy, including the Somerset biofuels project, a ‘Watts On’ energy efficiency campaign within County Hall, and biomass heating schemes.
There are more to come this year, including the landmark ‘Rising to the Challenge’ climate change communications project and the rolling out of the pioneering Somerset Wind Energy Initiative.
As well as supporting the Environment Agency in its prioritising of flood defence works, the council will develop a countywide response through a water management partnership.
This will involve all stakeholders, regional and national agencies in developing a co-ordinated approach to combat future rising flood risk challenge.
Councillor Bakewell said: “Global warming will seriously affect Somerset. Our announcements today put into place initiatives to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change in Somerset. We must lead the way and help others to follow.”

• Our illustration above shows areas of Somerset, highlighted in mauve, at risk of tidal flooding, which include Minehead, Dunster Marsh, and areas near Blue Anchor and Watchet. Image submitted.